Canon Announce EOS C100 low cost Super 35mm Camcorder with EF mount

The EOS C100 is Canon’s latest addition to their digital cinema camera line-up, sporting an EF lens mount and Full HD recording at up to 24Mb/s onto low cost SDHC media with an AVCHD MPEG-4 4:2:0 codec.

The C100 is aimed at budget conscious independent videographers such as corporate video makers, wedding and event video producers, small video production companies and film schools, hence whilst it looks very similar to its C300 sibling, it is actually 15% smaller in size and incorporates a range of extra ‘push button’ features designed to simplify operation as well as a new wide dynamic range gamma setting which can reduce the requirement for colour grading in post production.

Stereo microphones built in to detachable handle, Pro XLR connectors included on the handle.

New Wide Dynamic Range (Wide DR) Gamma setting.

Two SD memory card slots with relay record or simultaneous record options. SDHC/SDXC supported.

Built-in, manually controlled glass ND filters; 2, 4 and 6 stops.

Low power consumption with supplied BP-955 battery.

DIGIC DV III image processor.

Comprehensive NLE support; Data Import Utility software included.

KEY BENEFITS:

8.3 MEGAPIXEL SUPER 35MM CMOS SENSOR FOR HIGH-RESOLUTIONThe C100 features the same, large 8.3 Megapixel Super 35mm-equivalent CMOS sensor as the EOS C300 and C300 PL cameras for video capture that provides three-channel RGB processing for Full HD. The sensor has a pixel size larger than that for conventional professional camcorders enabling greater light-gathering capabilities for superb high-resolution images with enhanced sensitivity, low noise, reduced shutter artefacts and low power consumption, along with typical large sensor benefits such as beautifully shallow depth-of-field.

NEW AUTO FEATURES FOR EASE OF USE
The EOS C100 inherits many of the features from Canon’s high-spec EOS C300 Digital Cinema Camera, but also incorporates a number of newly enhanced auto functions such as One-Shot AF, Push Auto Iris and Auto White Balance, which make it ideal for single operator use.

Pushing the One-Shot AF button before recording starts, ensures the camera focuses on the subject at the centre of the screen. Push Auto Iris is a recording assist function that automatically adjusts the aperture in accordance with the brightness during recording. The Auto White Balance feature automatically normalises the colour temperature by correcting warm or cool tones. Note that One-Shot AF and Push Auto Iris functions are not available when shooting with Canon Cinema Lenses.

WIDESPREAD LENS COMPATIBILITYThe creative possibilities of the EOS C100 Digital Cinema Camera are greatly enhanced by its compatibility to Canon’s wide range of EF mount lenses. Canon’s extensive EF lens range encompasses over 60 different lenses for a total focal length range that stretches from 8mm up to 800mm to open up an incredibly wide range of shooting possibilities. Filmmakers already shooting with EF mount lenses can now take advantage of the widespread compatibility of the Cinema EOS System.

The C100 is also compatible with the EF mount lenses in Canon’s Cinema Lens range – these lenses deliver exceptional optical performance and offer compatibility with Super 35mm-equivalent sensors.

A 3.5-inch (8.8cm), 920,000-dot LCD panel can be moved upwards by up to 100 degrees for easy composition at low angles. By rotating and stowing the LCD panel DSLR-style shooting is possible with viewing through the 0.24-inch (0.65cm), 1.56-million dot EVF.

The detachable handle has a built-in stereo microphone and two channels of XLR audio input connectors.

CREATIVE ND FILTERS
A manually controlled built-in ND filter allows for keeping the iris open for shallow depth-of-field and attractive bokeh. A four-layer filter system offers three densities – 2-stop, 4-stop and 6-stop – with ND0 being clear.

RECORDING CODEC AND MODES
The camera can record MPEG-4 AVCHD files at 24Mbps (4:2:0) to two SD memory cards with relay and double slot simultaneous HD recording options available. Using two SD cards allows for up to 12 hours of continuous recording by switching from one card to the other when the maximum file capacity has been reached.

A Pre REC function in the C100 starts recording video about three seconds ahead of time to ensure that you don’t miss the shot.

HIGH SENSITIVITY, LOW NOISE IMAGE CAPTURE
The C100 features enhanced sensitivity: low noise images can be captured at up to ISO 20,000, allowing for use in almost any shooting conditions.

CANON LOG & WIDE DR GAMMA
Canon Log is a log format for realising a wide, 12-stop dynamic range close to negative film. Canon Log has adopted an 8-bit log that enables the user to easily perform post-production processes, even in a desktop environment. It enables detailed adjustment for highlight and shadow and broadens the range of colour grading.

SEAMLESS WORKFLOW INTEGRATION
Smooth editing workflow is key during video production and this is catered for thanks to an MPEG-4/AVCHD (H.264) system that enables the capture of extensive Full HD high resolution video recording, with less data volume, by means of highly efficient compression.

The new Data Import Utility software that comes with the EOS C100 automatically recognises divided files as a single long file and seamlessly joins together the divided video files when they exceed 2GB or when they are created during relay recording. This helps to reduce the work during editing.

An HDMI signal output function enables a timecode and 2:3 pulldown marker to be superimposed on the HDMI signal output. The non-compressed signals can be processed as SDI video signals (comparable to HD-SDI) depending on the external recorder and converter connected to the EOS C100. Footage is then compatible with NLE editing software from companies such as Apple, Adobe, AVID and Grass Valley.

KEY TECHNOLOGIES:

AVCHD CODEC
The C100 utilises Canon’s MPEG-4, 4:2:0, 24Mbps codec, recording in the AVCHD format. The format uses 4:2:0 colour sampling, and Canon has implemented the top 24Mbits/sec data rate offered by the standard, as well as native Full HD resolution.

The AVCHD format has been widely adopted and is supported by most editing software. Canon’s implementation of AVCHD maximises quality, whilst economising on storage requirements, and keeps the options entirely open for post-production.

CMOS SENSORS
Canon develops and manufactures its own sensors and has incorporated a Super 35mm-equivalent 8.3 Megapixel (effective) CMOS sensor in the EOS C100. This sensor has a pixel size that is larger than that for conventional professional camcorders, enabling greater light-gathering capabilities for enhanced sensitivity and reduced noise. The sensor reads Full HD (1920×1080 pixels) video signals for each of the three RGB primary colours, decreasing the incidence of moiré while realising high resolution with 1,000 horizontal TV lines.

I like the look of the ND wheel, makes more sense to me than the ND buttons on the C300. Auto button also sounds like a good addition for run and gun stuff, when you just need to flick the auto on for a second to get you in the right range quickly. 24mps is too low for most broadcast work though.